a partner church in the WOLDSBURN benefice
CHURCH AT KIRKBURN
http://www.churchatkirkburn.org.uk/page 23
October 22nd, 2004
On this Friday evening we celebrated our thanksgiving for our harvest. This year hasn’t been the best for the farming community in terms of weather and yields. Nevertheless we have had a harvest and we are much better off than those farming in many other parts of the world. Our church was dressed beautifully with flowers, fruits and vegetables. Because of the tragic accident on the road involving our Vicar, the Revd. John Tallant, we offered prayers him and his wife, at a “Songs of Praise” Harvest type service, supported by the Harthill Choristers under the direction of Peter Maw. The choir sang an anthem and a vesper, and the congregation was totally involved in 7 harvest hymns. There were also 5 readings taken from scripture and topical harvest subjects. The singing was fully representative of the occasion and the unconventional Harvest service was very well received by one of the largest congregations for some time. A leading part was taken by the churchwardens and by our Lay Reader, Mrs. Ramona Holt . After the service, in the adjacent Village hall, a very adequate supper was served. The writer will definitely go to the gym twice next week. The food was provided locally by volunteers, nothing ever seems to be formally arranged in regard to the provision of supper; It has always been a source of amazement to me in my 29 years as organist at St. Mary’s how there is always an adequacy of everything. I cannot help but think of the parable of the loaves and the fishes. And we do well to remember at Harvest time, that by himself man can do nothing; sun, water, seeds, are all gifts. Mankind is able to improve, modify, and select some of God’s gifts,but in thinking back to basics, we have to acknowledge that we are in God’s hands and that it is right to give him thanks.
On this Friday evening we celebrated our thanksgiving for our harvest. This year hasn’t been the best for the farming community in terms of weather and yields. Nevertheless we have had a harvest and we are much better off than those farming in many other parts of the world. Our church was dressed beautifully with flowers, fruits and vegetables. Because of the tragic accident on the road involving our Vicar, the Revd. John Tallant, we offered prayers him and his wife, at a “Songs of Praise” Harvest type service, supported by the Harthill Choristers under the direction of Peter Maw. The choir sang an anthem and a vesper, and the congregation was totally involved in 7 harvest hymns. There were also 5 readings taken from scripture and topical harvest subjects. The singing was fully representative of the occasion and the unconventional Harvest service was very well received by one of the largest congregations for some time. A leading part was taken by the churchwardens and by our Lay Reader, Mrs. Ramona Holt . After the service, in the adjacent Village hall, a very adequate supper was served. The writer will definitely go to the gym twice next week. The food was provided locally by volunteers, nothing ever seems to be formally arranged in regard to the provision of supper; It has always been a source of amazement to me in my 29 years as organist at St. Mary’s how there is always an adequacy of everything. I cannot help but think of the parable of the loaves and the fishes. And we do well to remember at Harvest time, that by himself man can do nothing; sun, water, seeds, are all gifts. Mankind is able to improve, modify, and select some of God’s gifts,but in thinking back to basics, we have to acknowledge that we are in God’s hands and that it is right to give him thanks.
LECTERN
HARVEST FONT
SOUTH DOOR
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2004 AT ST. MARY’S (continued)